'Fake news' smear takes hold among politicians at all levels

Here’s an article from the Associated Press:
By Ryan J. Foley
An Idaho state lawmaker urges her constituents to submit entries for her "fake news awards." The Kentucky governor tweets #FAKENEWS to dismiss questions about his purchase of a home from a supporter. An aide to the Texas land commissioner uses the phrase to downplay the significance of his boss receiving donations from employees of a company that landed a multimillion-dollar contract.
President Donald Trump's campaign to discredit the news media has spread to officials at all levels of government, who are echoing his use of the term "fake news" as a weapon against unflattering stories.
It's become ubiquitous as a signal to a politician's supporters to ignore legitimate reporting and...